Creation Questions

God guided the writing of the Bible through the Holy Spirit. The Bible contains the word of God given by the prophets.
The Bible tells of the actions and teachings of Jesus in the Gospel.
The Bible contains the writings of the apostles in the Epistles (Letters of the early Christians). "Sacred Scripture is the word of God” Dei Verbum 9

The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, which comes from the Pope and Bishops. Catholics are guided in their interpretation of the Bible by the Magisterium.
The Magisterium is guided by the Holy spirit. "Sacred transition takes the word of God and hands it on to their successors in its full purity" Dei Verbum 9

Catholic Church and science are compatible. "Religion and science support each other"- Second Vatican council. Catholics do not take a literal reading of Genesis 1 and 2.
Religion asks the why and science asks the how.
Famous Catholic Scientist: Lemaitre was a Catholic priest who proposed the Big Bang theory. Lemarck was a Catholic who influenced theory of evolution.

The Catholic Church teaches that the Genesis creation stories should not be interpreted literally. Catholics see the creation stories as myth that convey a deep or complex truth.
Catholics believe that God made everything, everythingGod made was good and humans are the high point of creation.
"Big Bang does not contradict creation. Evolution does not contrast with the notion of creation" Pope Francis

Fundamentalist Christians take a literal reading of the Genesis. God literally created the world in 6 days of 24 hours.
They disagree with the theory of the Big Bang and evolution. They see the Bible as a historical record.
Ken Ham is an example of a fundamentalist. Bishop Ussher said the earth was created in 4004BC. Catholics are not fundamentalists!

Natural Law refers to Moral principles and virtues that are thought to be inherent in all humans (our God-given nature). St Aquinas developed Natural Law.
As we are created distinct from animals and are in the 'image and likeness of God'. We use our gift of reason to 'do good and avoid evil' - St Aquinas.
There are 'precepts' (principles) that help us do this: 'protecting life, reproduction living in society and worshipping God.' St Aquinas

1. All creation is special because it is made by God to be Good. "God saw what he had made and was well
pleased” Genesis 1
2. God made humans stewards of the earth. "To till and care for the earth" Genesis 2. “We have a duty to care for our common home and common good" Pope Francis in Laudato si
3. Jesus taught to “Love your neighbour as yourself" Mark 12.31

1. Local Level- recycling, walk or use public transport, reduce carbon footprint, educate others.
2. National Level- pressure on politicians, laws on recycling, pressure on companies to be environmentally friendly
3. Global level- government to implement policies agreed at international meetings.
Pope Francis- Duty for all Catholics to help protect the environment. "Everyone must redress the damage to God’s creation”

Sustainability means living a way that respects the environment and its natural resources to keep harmony. For Catholics it shows we are good stewards.
Cafod- encourages people to use fewer natural resources, supports projects for renewable energy, works with groups like MONLAR- Sri Lanka to help farmers adopt more sustainable methods. Helped found the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals like 'no poverty’ and ‘climate action’.

God is shown bringing humans to life. God is the creator.
God’s right hand is bringing creation to life.
God has an old face (represents his wisdom and that he is eternal-omniscience) but a young and muscular body (represents his power- omnipotence)
God is carried through the air by angels. God in a different sphere to Adam- shows God’s transcendence. Brain or womb surrounds God- represents he is the source of creation

Adam is presented to be in the ‘image and likeness of God' Gen 1. God and Adam lying in a similar way.
Adam is shown as the perfect man, full of strength and potential. Shows God’s creation is "Very good”- Gen 1
Adam is not fully alive- waiting for God to bring him to life. Humanity is dependent on God for the gift of life. God and Adam's hands are nearly touching- showing humanity and God are longing for a relationship.

Lines extend for God's hand to the edge of the circle (symbol of infinity). Shows God created everything and source of all.
God’s right hand- symbol of God power (used for miracles in the OT)
God’s hand is large - shows his power and greatness
Cloud- Symbolises God’s Voice (Theophany)
Abstract art- captures the transcendence of God. Does not tell us about God’s link to humanity.

Both show God as the creator. Both show God is powerful and eternal
God is an old man in ‘creation of Adam’ with a strong body showing God’s omnipotence and omniscience. Only God's hand and the cloud are shown in Meiere’s mosaic- showing God is infinite.
Creation of Adam- is about God making humankind. Meiere’s mosaic is more abstract about God created everything.

God is the creator: "In the beginning God created Gen 1 — Only one God (Monotheism.) Humans created in the ‘image and likeness of God'
God is omnipotent- God has the power to create anything exactly as he wants "God saw everything he had made and it was very good" Gen 1
God is transcendent-beyond human understanding. Uses his words to create “God said — Let there be light” Gen 1

1. Humans share the spirit of the God "God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life" Gen 2
2. Humans are given the gift of free will. "Adam can eat from any tree but the tree of knowledge of good and evil" Gen 2

1. Stewardship-humans to look after and care for the earth. Humans have special authority and 'dominion to rule over other creatures' Genesis 1 ‘To till' Genesis 2.
2. The dignity of human beings "All made in the images and likeness of God” Gen1.28. We are all equal
3. The sanctity of life- All life is a gift and sacred as God is the creator (Gen 1)

Law- first five books telling people how to be the people of God.
History- stories of the early Jewish people
Wisdom- mixture of prayers, psalms, poems and books of advice
Prophecy- books of the prophets whose inspired words challenged people to remain faithful to God

The Gospels- life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Acts of the Apostles- events of the early Christian Church
The Epistles (Letters)-letters written by the apostles about how to follow Jesus' teachings
The Book of Revelations-mystical visions linked to the end of the world